This Monday, January 12th, Paris Saint-Germain (2nd in Ligue 1) faces Paris FC (15th in Ligue 1) at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9:10 PM, CET) in the Round of 32 of the 2025-2026 Coupe de France. And as before every match, here is a preview of the Parisians’ opponent.
The situation of Paris FC –
After a long period in Ligue 2 (2015-2024) and a project that gained momentum at the beginning of 2025 with the club’s acquisition by the holding company Agache, a subsidiary of LVMH (owned by Bernard Arnault), Paris FC has finally secured promotion to Ligue 1 for the 2025-2026 season.
This comes with certain ambitions, clearly stated during the transfer window, even if there haven’t been any extravagant spending sprees. At the start of the season, Paris FC achieved some interesting things and even briefly occupied a top-half position. However, they lack consistency in matches, and PFC has paid the price for some significant defensive errors. They currently sit 15th, without being in a major predicament, but are back in the relegation battle.
Summer 2025 Transfer Window –
Source: Transfermarkt
Departures:
Arrivals:
The 2025/2026 winter transfer window –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key statistics –
This season, Paris FC has the 10th best attack in Ligue 1 with 22 goals scored (the best, PSG, has 37, and the worst, Auxerre, has 14), and the 17th best defense with 31 goals conceded (Lens has the best defense with 13 goals conceded, and the worst, Metz, has 38).
Metz’s top scorer is Ilan Keball (27-year-old attacking midfielder), with 6 goals, placing him 7th in the league (the top scorer in Ligue 1 is Mason Greenwood with 11 goals). Kebbal is also PFC’s top assist provider with 4 assists and is 7th in Ligue 1 (Adrien Thomasson is first with 6 assists).
Paris FC’s last 5 matches –
Only PFC’s possession is shown, and their shots are listed first (when data is available).
November 29, 2025 (Ligue 1) – Paris FC/Auxerre: 1-1. 4-3-3 formation. 63% possession. 9 shots, 1 on target, vs. 9 shots (3 on target).
December 7, 2025 (Ligue 1) – Le Havre/Paris FC: 0-0. 4-3-3 formation. 59% possession. 10 shots, 3 on target, vs. 11 shots (2 on target).
December 13, 2025 (Ligue 1) – Paris FC/Toulouse: 0-3. Playing a 4-3-3 formation. 63% possession. 8 shots, 3 on target, compared to 6 shots (4 on target) for Toulouse.
December 20, 2025 (Coupe de France) – US Raon/Paris FC: 0-3. Playing a 4-3-3 formation. 20 shots, 8 on target, compared to 5 shots (1 on target) for Toulouse.
January 4, 2026 (Ligue 1) – PSG/Paris FC: 2-1. Playing a 5-4-1 formation. 27% possession. 5 shots, 3 on target, compared to 17 shots (6 on target) for Toulouse.
The Paris FC squad:
Unavailable – Lees-Melou, Chergui (injury), H. Traoré, Krasso et M. Simon (AFCON).
The probable starting lineup in a 5-4-1 formation.
Geubbels
Gory – Lopez – Camara – Ikoné
De Smet – Otavio – Kolodziedjczak – Mbow – Sangui
Nkambadio
Paris FC’s playing style.
PFC likes to play an attacking style, with possession and creativity. They also try to quickly regain possession. However, this “frenzy” sometimes leads to defensive lapses and costly mistakes in transition. This was evident in their opening goal eight days ago in Ligue 1, when Paris FC adopted a much more defensive approach than usual.
This could still be the case, at least until PSG potentially takes the lead. Unless PFC decides to stick to their philosophy this time. But one can imagine the temptation to defend until penalties.
